2012 Season in Review: Hernandez proved to be a reliable starter in the upper levels of the minors in 2012, despite long-term projections that he will eventually wind up in the bullpen. His 5.54 strikeouts per nine innings was quite low, but he showed an ability to induce weak contact, posting a 2.00 groundball-to-flyball ratio. He began the year in Portland, and in 103 2/3 innings over 18 starts, posted a 3.18 ERA, striking out 60 and walking 36. That performance earned him a July promotion to Pawtucket, where the 2010 seventh-round selection continued to be a steady presence, compiling a 3.59 ERA in eight appearances, seven starts. During his time in Pawtucket, Hernandez was especially effective against lefties, allowing them to hit just .216 compared to .269 for right-handers.

2013 Outlook: Hernandez will return to Pawtucket's rotation to begin 2013. Although he has had success in a starting role, he will have to continue answering questions about whether he will be able to induce weak contact as consistently at the major league level given his repertoire, including a fastball that sits in the mid-80s, changeup, and curveball. The Red Sox will develop him as a starter for as long as he is successful, but should the need arise for a left-handed reliever in the majors, Hernandez could be an option to move to the bullpen. His splits on the year, allowing a .264/.340/.399 line against right-handed hitters and a .233/.272/.276 line against left-handed hitters, evince a potential career path as a lefty specialist in the majors.

2012 Season in Review: Coming off of a breakout season in 2011, expectations were high for the 22-year-old Puerto Rican native. Vazquez slumped mightily in May, hitting just .155, but returned to form over the summer, putting up a .969 OPS in June and a 1.003 OPS in July. The hot bat earned Vazquez a promotion to Portland in early August where he struggled getting acclimated, hitting just .205/.280/.260. In the meantime, he continued playing strong defense behind the plate, throwing out 42 percent of runners while he was in Salem, although that number fell a bit to 29 percent in a smaller Double-A sample size.

2013 Outlook: Currently participating in the Arizona Fall League, where he will get more at-bats and defensive reps with top-notch competition. He is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, and may be selected if left unprotected due to his strong defensive reputation, making him a decent, if not certain, bet to be added to the 40-man roster. Assuming he stays with the organization, Vazquez will return to Portland to start the year and attempt to make adjustments to Double-A pitching in the hopes of earning a midseason promotion to Pawtucket.